TIMMINS - Two Timmins outfitters have been fined for unlawfully listing game foods on their menu, which is part of a local business that promotes luxury lodging and dining in the wilderness.

A news release from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) said fines totalling $4,750 were imposed for violations of the Wildlife Conservation Act and the Migratory Birds Convention Act.

The news release said Jose Santos of WildExodus pleaded guilty and was fined $1,750 for listing wildlife and fish on a menu, $1,000 for selling an animal represented as game wildlife and $1,000 for selling Canada goose meat. The release also reported that Tony Silva of Wawaitin Holiday Park pleaded guilty and was fined $1,000 for selling Canada goose meat.

The court was told that in June of 2016, MNRF conservation officers were investigating what was termed as the unlawful listing of wildlife on the website menu for WildExodus, which is owned by Santos, and the Wawaitin Holiday Park which is owned by Silva. Both businesses are operated from venues near Kenogamissi Lake, in the southeast area of Timmins.

“Officers determined that, in 2015, Santos listed moose and beaver on a menu. In 2016, Santos and Silva listed moose, caribou, grouse, beaver, Arctic char and pike on a menu. In July 2016, Santos and Silva sold plainclothes officers meals represented as containing moose and beaver meat. Forensic analysis later determined that the meals also contained Canada goose meat,” said the release.

The case was heard in the Ontario Court of Justice before Justice of the Peace Nathalie Breton, in April, said the MNRF.